Former Boston College student Inyoung You plans to return to the United States to face arraignment for her alleged involvement in the suicide of her boyfriend, Alexander Urtula, BC ’19, according to The Boston Globe. You’s defense will rest in part on a series of text messages she sent Urtula directly before his death, according to the Globe, in which she implored Urtula not to take his life.
You has agreed to return from her home country of South Korea for arraignment, but an exact date is unclear, according to the Globe. Both the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and Rasky Partners, a Boston public relations firm hired by You, did not immediately respond to The Heights’ request for comment.
A transcript obtained by the Globe from Rasky Partners shows that You questioned why Urtula had stopped sharing his location with her. After Urtula indicated that he was going to kill himself, You sent over 110 texts begging him to stop.
Urtula jumped to his death at a parking garage in Roxbury on May 20, hours before he was set to walk at Commencement to receive his diploma, although he had completed all his graduation requirements that December. You, after receiving Urtula’s location, was present at the time of his death. Two sources close to You’s family have said that Urtula jumped upon You’s arrival at the garage, according to the Globe.
“Inyoung You withdrew from Boston College in August,” Dunn said in an email to The Heights on Tuesday.
Since the announcement of charges against You, she has since been removed from the BC student directory. You was still listed in the directory on the date of the indictment.
The transcript of the messages published by the Globe begins with You’s frustrations that Urtula had stopped sharing his location with her, accusing him of going to see unspecified people. Urtula, over the course of seven text messages, then begins alluding to ending his life, at which point You grows concerned. After Urtula’s final response, You sends over 110 texts pleading with him not to follow through.
“excuse me why is ur location not available” You texted. “what are u doing”
She then became irritated over events that had transpired the night before. You texted Urtula multiple times asking where he had been that night and with whom he had spoken.
“I’m not talking to anyone. I won’t ever again,” Urtula responded. “I’m happy I got to spend my last night with you. I love you inyoung until my last breath.”
You texted Urtula asking where he was. He then texted her and did not provide her with a location, but indicated that he was planning on killing himself.
“I’m not gonna be anywhere inyoung this is goodbye forever.” Urtula texted. “I love you. This isn’t your fault it’s mine.”
You said she was confused, so Urtula clarified.
“I’m far away on a tall place and I’m not gonna be here for long” Urtula texted. “I’m leaving everyone”
You pleaded with Urtula to stop what he was doing. She texted that if he loved her then he should not go through with the suicide attempt.
“I did love you just not well enough” Urtula texted.
You texted Urtula saying that she would have nothing left if he were to die.
“Goodbye” Urtula texted in response. “You’ll have everything once I’m gone”
You then texted Urtula over 110 times pleading with him to stop, but he never responded.
You was also in touch with Urtula’s brother, informing him of Urtula’s location was while she took an Uber to the parking garage, and Urtula’s brother responded that he was on his way, according to the transcript of the text messages obtained by the Globe.
Two sources close to You’s family told the Globe that Urtula jumped to his death when You arrived at the garage.
In the Oct. 28 announcement of You’s involuntary manslaughter indictment, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins contended that You engaged in a pattern of physical, verbal, and psychological abuse throughout her 18-month relationship with Urtula. The abuse worsened in the days and hours leading up to Urtula’s death, Rollins said.
Rollins said that hundreds of the 75,000 text messages that You sent Urtula in the two months leading up to his death encouraged his suicide. You told him that she, Urtula’s family, and the world would be better off if he decided to “go kill himself” and “go die,” according to a press release from Rollins’ office.
You used manipulative threats and attempts of self-harm to control Urtula, Rollins said. An investigation by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Police and Suffolk County prosecutors also said that she was aware of the spiraling depression and suicidal thoughts her abuse had brought on, but she continued to encourage Urtula to take his own life.
You’s potential return to the U.S. marks a significant development in the case. Rollins said on Oct. 28 that her office would attempt to bring You back to the country voluntarily but was willing to extradite her if necessary.
You is facing the same involuntary manslaughter charge that Michelle Carter of Plainville, Mass., was ultimately convicted of in 2017. Carter was convicted of involuntary manslaughter by encouraging Conrad Roy III to kill himself through phone calls and text messages in 2014. Earlier this year the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld Carter’s conviction, and Carter received a sentencing of 15 months in prison.
Over the summer, Massachusetts state legislators proposed “Conrad’s Law,” which would make the encouragement or assistance of suicide punishable for up to five years.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact University Counseling Services at 617-552-3310 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Featured Image Courtesy of the Urtula Family via Suffolk DA’s office
